Plant for the carbonization of coal and like material



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.

S. R. ILLINGWORTH PLANT FOR THE CARBONIZATION OF COAL AND LIKE MATERIAL Aug. 22, 1933.

Aug. 22, 1933- s. R. 'ILLINGWORTH V 7 1,923,209

PLANT FOR THE CARBONIZATION OF COAL AND LIKE MATERIAL Filed Nov. 29, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 O 62 go 05:??? W w t p 2 w 3 h 2 mm 118 Re Eh Ts A M6 E K I 4/ L D m H 9 L mi o w s a N N 1w 55 d .Me R .Bmm R A C E H T R O F T N A L P Aug. 22, 1933.

Aug. 22, 1933. s. R. ILLINGWORTH PLANT FOR THE CARBONIZATION OF COAL AND LIKE MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov.

Aug. 22, 1933. s, R. ILLINGWORTH PLANT FOR THE CARBONIZATIQN OF COAL AND LIKE MATERIAL 6 SheetsSheet 6 Fi-led Nov. 29, 19 29 a E l e w M 1 L Aw 2v Pm t p w a 4 w 4 n H Patented Aug. 22, 1933 I PLANT FOR THE CARBONIZATION OF LIKE Stewart Re) by mesne assignmen Carbonization Company, Wilmington,

Illingworth,

con. MATERIAL mm, Wales. as'signor,

ts, to Pittsburgh Coal Del., 8

Corporation of Delaware Application November 29,

1929, Serial No. 410,566,

and in Great Britain November 29, 1928 8' Claims- (01. 202-115),

This invention relates to improvements in plant for the carbonization of coal and like material. .It involves a treatment of coal suitably preheat- N ed, or blends of coal, or coals which are suitable without prior treatment and which do not expand during carbonization. Apparatus suitable for carrying out this preheating is illustrated'in my former British Patents Nos. 245,190, 244,837 and 223,624 and comprises a brickwork outer retort or setting in which are nests of metal tubes forming retorts arranged in rows and heated by gases which pass up and down fiues located around each row of nests of metal retorts. The main object of this invention is the construction of a continuously operating retort.

According to the present invention the plant comprises a plurality of metal retorts, means for feeding a measured quantity of coal or other material to each retort at predetermined intervals and means for discharging the carbonized fuel from the retorts operating in timed relationship with said feeding means. v

The coal may be fed from a bunker or other storage chamber located above the retorts and from which it passes through a feed pipe or pipes to one or more measuring chambers having inlet and outlet valve plates and by means of which a measured quantity of coal may be fed to each retort.

9 One measuring chamber may beemployed for each nest of retorts over which it is moved to feed each retort in succession, means being provided. to actuate the discharge or outlet from the measuring chamber when it is over the mouth of the retort.

Preferably discharge from each retort is under the action of gravity and by. means of a door at the base, means being provided for opening the door after the necessary period of time during which carbo tion takes place, said means operating to close the door before the retort is recharged from its measuring chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention the retorts are arranged in a circle and preferably there are a plurality of nests of retorts so arranged in. circies concentric with one another. The measuring chambers may be mounted ina row or rows radial to the common centre of the nests of retorts, one being provided for each nest.

It has been found convenient to mount them on a rotatable platform which forms the top of the take off chamber for the gases from the retorts. Theplatform may be mounted on'rollers arranged around its periphery and driven by means of a rack and pinion operated from a main driving shaft. The valve plates of the measuring chambers are operated by timed'cams on a shaft mounted on the platform and which is driven by a pinion engaging a circumferential rack carried by the brickwork setting of the retorts. The discharge doors from the retorts are normally held closed by an annular plate which is supported by spider arms mounted to rotate about the centre of the retort and also driven from the main driving shaft. A gap or space is provided in the'ring or plate so that when in register with a door the.

latter is free to open and discharge.

It is clear that by timing the feed and discharge to and from the retorts by suitable gearing the period of carbonization can be controlled to suit different kinds of coal.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings annexed-in. which Figure .1 is a sectional elevation of a rotary plant constructed in accordance with the invention.

' Figure 2'is a sectional elevation of the feed from the storage bunker to the retorts.

Figure 3 is a similar .view of a modified form of feed.

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional elevations at right angles of a feed measuring chamber."

Figure 6 is a view of a chamber having a modified control.

Figure 7 is a plan view showing the and the retort setting. a

Figure 8 is a plan view of an alternative setting of retorts.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the valve actuating mechanism for the measuring chambers, and Figure 10 a sectional view to a larger scale of the drive therefor.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 alternative form of drive.

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of the lower ends of the retorts showing the discharge mechanism and cooling chambers.

retorts are detail views of an Figures 15 and 16 are detail views of the dis charge showing the arrangementof the doors.

Figure 1'7 is an under plan view of the doors for the outer rows of the retorts.

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view showing the drive interconnecting the feeding means with the discharging means Referringfto Figure 1' of the drawings 1 is a tower to a bunker 2 in the top of which the coal or other raw material to be treated is fed by means such as an elevator indicated at 3. 4 indicates generally the retorts mounted in a brickwork setting 5, and 6 are cooling chambers. '7

are interconnected.

are rotary valve discharges. 8-8 are conveyors for removing the carbonized fuel.

From the bunker 2 the coal is fed to each retort.

Reference to Figure '7 will show the retorts formed of metal'tubes 9 arrangedin concentric rows and in pairs in staggered relation to one another separated by walls 10 forming part of the setting 5. The retorts tubes 9 in Figure B are arranged in radial and concentric rows and divided into chambers by radial walls 11.

The feeding or charging mechanism (see also Figures 26 and 9) consists of a revolving platform 12 supporting measuring chambers 13, each connected to a main pipe 14 into which coal discharges under gravity from an outlet 15 in the bunker 2. A measuring chamber is provided for each concentric row of retorts. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the measuring chambers 13. are arranged in a single radial row onone side of the platform 12. Alternatrvelythe measuring chambers may be arranged in two ormo'r'e'opposite radial rows as for example shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 9 the measuring chambers consists of cylindrical vessels into the top end of which branch pipes 17 from pipe 14 discharge, discharge from the chamber taking place'through anozzle 18 beneath the level of the platform 12. Pivotally mounted valve plates 19 and 20 are provided for controlling the inlet to and discharge from the chamber and so arranged that it is impossible for both valves to be open at the same time. Valve plates 19 and 20 The valve plates 19 and 20 are operated by lever arms 21 and 22 interconnected by means of a link 23 and provided, if necessary, with a balance weight 24 (see Figure 9). In Figure 6 the connecting link between the valve plates is housed in a tube 25 inside the measuring chamber. The operating gear is connected to the top valve. plate 19 and is external. This arrangement permits the chambers to be set lower. It will be observed also that in Figure 6 the valve plates 19 and 20 give double cover. Connected to the operating lever 21 is a link 26 whose other end is connected to a bell crank lever'27 mounted upon abracket Y 28 on the revolving platform. The revolving platform 12 carries a cam shaft 29 on the outer end of which is a pinion 30 meshing with a cir-.

cumferential rack 31 suitably mounted on the brickwork setting or on brackets located=around the periphery of the platform. The platform 12 is supported by means of a peripheral flange 36 engaging rollers 34 which run upon. a track 35. 33 is a water seal into which dips a depending flange 32 formed on the platform and the outer wall of the seal may conveniently carry the track 35. On the flange 36 is a rack 37 by means of which the platform is, driven by means of a pinion 38 on a-driving shaft 39. 40 indicates the'driving motor and gear (see Figure 1) The other end of the driving shaft carries a pinion 41 (shown diagrammatically in Figure 1) from which a drive is taken by a shaft for the discharge mechanism at the bottom of the retorts hereinafter described. On the cam shaft 29 area series of cam rollers, one of whichis shown at 42 (see Figure 9). A cam roller is provided for each measuring chamber and on each roller are studs 43 having rollers adapted to engage the free arm of the bell crank lever 27 and thereby actuate the valve plates of the measuring vessels. It is clear that rotation of the pinion 38 will drive the platform through the time.

By means of the water seal 33 and the fact that the whole distance between the bunker 2 and the bottom valve of the measuring chambers is always practically full of small coal, a very efficient seal is formed. 44 (see Figures 2 and 3) is anoiftake for the gases from the retorts.

Referring 'now toaFigures 11, 12 and 13 there is shown an alternative mechanism for operating the valves of the measuring chambers suitable for use where the retorts are arranged in radial rows. The reto'rtsare divided up as shown in Figure 8 into twelve sectors and for each sector a pin or member 45 is provided which engages the teeth of a cam plate 46mounted on'one arm of a bell crank lever 47, whose other arm is connected by a link 46 tothe valve plates. A cam plate 46 is provided for each measuring chamber and has teeth'corresponding to the number of tubes to be fed in the section of the-ring to which it delivers. u Y I Instead of arranging the cam on levers mounted on the revolving platform the cam could be arranged round the circumference of I the annular trough with the number of cam rises corresponding to a complete ring of retorts. This cam could 'be cast in say twelve similar sections. This method couldbe made to legislate for stickers" or duds.which"could be cut out of the feed by dismounting a section or cutting out one of the cams. Arrangements of tubes on any system could also be easily arranged for by this method. The retortsare arranged as previously described in concentric rows around a central flue 49.

Doors 50 (see Figures 14', 15, 16) are provided beneath eachretort. "The doors are mounted by hooked arms 51 on hinge pins 52, which may be ca'ston the mouthpieces at the base of the retorts. The doors are normally held closed by rings 53 carried on spider arms, one-of which is shown at '54. Gaps 55 are formed in each ring of such sizethat when opposite a door, it is free to fall and thereby open. A cam nose "56 is provided to facilitate closing of the door.

The spider arms 54 are supported on circular girders 63, H the outermost girder having rollers 64 which run on track 65 on a part of the setting 5. On anotherof the girders is carried a rack 5'7 with which meshes a pinion 58 on a shaft 59, on

the outer'endof which shaft is'a pinion 66 meshed with a pinion 67 fasti'on the lower end of shaft 68. The upper end of shaft 68 carries a second pinion 69 in meshwiththe pinion 41 on the outer end of thedriving shaft 39, which latter shaft 39 is driven from motor 40'by a shaft and gearing 39'. To save space the doors may be set ona skew. that is the hinge line may be arranged at an angle to a, line-radial to the central axis of the retort proper; Figure 17 is a corresponding view to Figure 16 but showing double doors'60 suitable for use on retorts arranged in accordance with Figure 7.

"The carbonized fuel after discharge from the retorts drops into'the cooling chambers 6 and is removed therefromby the valve 7 on to a horizontal conveyor 8 and thence to the delivery conveyor' 8';* 1 --It should be understood that'whereas retort tubes of circular section have been shown in the drawings, retorts of rectangular or elliptical section may equally well be employed.

The circular retort plant shown in the drawings may be heated in any suitable manner, but the method proposed in the specification of my former British Patent No. 244,837 has been found to be preferable.

With reference to Figures 1, '7 and 14, 61 indicates an outer flue in the brickwork setting in which burners (not shown) are provided. The hot gases from the outer flue or flues 61 then pass through ports 62 (see Figure 7) into the top of the outer row of retorts and thence downwardly between the bafiie walls 10 of that row, crossing beneath the wall to enter the next row and pass onwardly in an alternate upward and downward path to the central flue 49 in communication with the stack.

To provide an effective seal at the lower an upper ends of the metal retorts sand seals such as illustrated in British Patent No. 244,837 may be provided.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and'in what manner the same is to beperformed, I declare that what I claim is:-

1. In an apparatus for the continuous treatment of material, the combination of a series of stationary vertical retorts arranged in a circular row, charging means for said retorts mounted to rotate in a circular path above said retorts coaxially with the circular row, said charging means embodying devices for delivering a measured quantity of coal to each retort in sequence automatically when the charging means is rotated, means for periodically effecting discharge of the treated material from each retort in sequence automatically and devices adapted to operate the discharging means in timed relationship with said charging means for automatically recharging each retort after each discharge of treated material therefrom.

2. In automatic apparatus for the continuous treatment of material the combination of a plurality of stationary vertical retorts arranged in concentric rows, charging means for said retorts mounted to rotate in a circular path above the retorts axially with said rows and embodying devices to charge a measured quantity of material to the retorts of each row in sequence automatically when the charging means is rotated, means for periodically effecting discharge of the treated material from the retorts of each row in sequence automatically and devices adapted to operate said discharging means in timed relationship with said charging means for automatically rechargingeach retort after each discharge of treated material therefrom.

3. In automatic apparatus for the continuous treatment of material, the combination of concentric circular rows of stationary retorts, a bodily-rotatable measuring chamber for each circular row of retorts mounted axially therewith, bodily-rotatable chute devices for feeding the material to said chambers mounted coaxially with the axis of said rows, means for controlling discharge from the measuring chambers to the retorts in sequence automatically in each of said rows when said measuring chambers are rotated, means for periodically effecting discharge of the treated material from the retorts in sequence automatically in each of said rows when the chute devices are rotated, and means adapted to operate said discharging means in timed relationship with the discharging'means for the measuring chambers for automatically recharging each retort after each discharge of treated material therefrom.

4. In automatic apparatus for the continuous treatment of material, the combination of concentric circular rows of stationary retorts, a

bodily-rotatable measuring chamber for each circular row of retorts mounted axially with said row, bodily-rotatable chute means for feeding material to said chambers mounted axially with said circular rows, inlet and outlet valves for controlling the feed to and discharge from the measuring chambers in sequence automatically in each of said rows, control means for operating the valves, means for periodically effecting discharge of the material from the retorts in sequence automatically in each of said rows when the chute means is rotated, said means being connected to and adapted to operate in timed relationship with the control means for the valves of the -measuring chambers.

for operating the valves, and means for periodically effecting discharge of the treated material from the retorts in sequence automatically in each of said rows when the chute means is rotated, said means being connected to and adapted to operate in timed relationship with the control means for the-valves of the measuring chambers.

6. In automatic apparatus for the continuous treatment of material, the combination of con centric circular rows of stationaryretorts, a platform mounted to rotate about an axis coincident with the vertical axis of the retorts, a measuring chamber for each circular row of retorts mounted axially with said row, which chambers are arranged in a radial row on said platform so as to bodily rotate therewith, chute means for feeding material to said chambers mounted for rotation with said chambers on the same axis, driving means for the platform, means for controlling discharge from the measuring chambers in sequence automatically in each of said rows, and means for periodically effecting discharge of the treated material from the retorts in sequence automatically in each of said rows when the chute means is rotated, said latter means being connected to and operated in timed relationship with the discharging means of the measuring chambers.

'7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the valves are operable by mechanism comprising a retorts and having a gas receiving chamber at the top thereof for conveying gases from vsaid retorts, the top wall of said gas receiving chamber charging means for each of said measuring chamhers. discharging means for each of said retorts operable in sequence automatically in each row, and mechanism for rotating said top wall of the gas-receiving chamber and also the discharging devices of themeasuring chambers and, in timed relationship therewith, the discharge devices of the retorts, so that each retort can be automaticaily razharged with a measured quantity of material after it has discharged its treated material.

, STEWART ROY ILLINGWORTH. 

